Here is a good restoration project or pick this up if you need a parts cars. This Sports Herald is listed here on craigslist in Hartland, New Hampshire for just $600. The Herald and its variants were popular in the 1960s, with 317,821 sedans, 70,000 convertibles, 53,267 estates, and 20,472 coupes sold by 1967. Did you ever own one or more of these?
There is no mention of rust or floor pan images for review. The panels and bumpers look pretty good on the front, left and rear. There isn’t an image of the right side, so that’s a mystery.
You will need a new soft top but from what can be seen in the provided images, the seats and one door (the small section) appear to be in pretty good order. These are fun little cars when in good order. There are no shots of the engine bay or boot, so expect issues. We don’t know if there is an engine in the car or if it turns over. There are many questions to be sent to this seller.
Cheers,
Robert
I had a ’64 herald 12/50 that I unbolted the roof of and drove her as a DHC, just covered the whole car when not driving her. I bought her as a non runner as she had been parked up for 4 years, took me around 5 minutes to start her which left a face on the seller I’ll never forget!
I’ve never heard of the sport variant though, is this US spec only? Is it similar to the Vitesse?
Hi Victor
I too have a 12/50 (Australian one they come with vitesse front) and I have one like this featured version but not a convertible.
I too have not heard of one designated sport but do know American ones had their own naming system.
I believe it’s a trunklid from a Sports 6 (Vitesse to the rest of the world) with the 6 removed. That being said, Andy Mace, who knows more about Heralds than anyone, is a frequent contributor in the comments, so I’m hoping he’ll chime in.
From about 1965 on, Heralds sold in the US had the “Herald” script badge replaced by a “Sports” script badge (visually identical to the badge used on the Sports 6 but actually a different badge, having been redesigned so that the fitting pins would fit the Herald holes rather than the Vitesse holes). Ok, more than just about anyone wanted to know, but then you did ask! :D (I’ll spare you all the unique Canadian-badged “Sports 12/50” info. ;) ) This particular car is tempting….
Thanks, Andy!!!
Never had one but I took my driving test (and passed) in one!
I had a 1200 Saloon for a couple of years, 25 years ago. A pretty slow car but it never gave that impression. A fruity exhaust note and low on the ground made you feel you were in a sporty car. I loved it. Made a few ropes in the garage where I could hang the saloon roof, in summer I drove without the roof (3 bolts at the rear, two on the B posts and two on the windscreen). Always regretted selling it.
I had a 1965 Herald Sports in the late seventies, one of my favorite cars. Rust was always the issue with mine. The frame rails supporting the trunk rusted to the point where the doors would open on hard bumps. I had no problem encouraging passengers to wear their seatbelt!
I have always wanted another with a nice Spitfire carb and header setup, maybe even wire wheels…